Prayer Service Helps Healing Process

ROSS TOWNSHIP — People in Monroe County gathered for a healing service at the Ross Township Park Thursday night

The park is right next to the municipal building where a gunman opened fire on the township supervisors meeting, one month ago to the day.

Members of the religious community were invited to speak to the crowd, hoping to bring a sense of closure to the tragedy and a feeling of peace.

“Although there is a physical emptiness and senseless tragedy that has taken place, I believe that the love of god shall never end,” said one pastor.

One after the one, religious leaders from the community here in the Poconos spoke to those who had come out seeking relief from pain and grief.

This prayer service comes just one month to the day when a gunman opened fire on the Ross Township Supervisors meeting, held at municipal building just yards away from the park where the prayer service was held.

The August 5th tragedy claimed three lives and injured two others; police arrested Rockne Newell for the shooting.

Many here became emotional during the hour-long service.

“It’s a building block for the healing process, it’s going to work, it’s helpful, you know, that is it,” said Rich Bauer.